It is often considered to be closely related to Lugia as a duo, even sometimes as its polar opposite. Silver represents Lugia as "guardian of the seas", and Gold represents Ho-Oh as "guardian of the skies."

Biology

Physiology

Ho-Oh is a phoenix-like bird with gold and red being its dominant colors. It also loosely resembles a peacock. Ho-Oh has yellow tail-feathers, a white underside, and green feathers at the tip of its wings. Ho-Oh has a green stripe on its neck, a yellow beak, black rings around its red-iris eyes, and a feathered-crest. Ho-Oh's wings are prismatic, causing it to trail a rainbow behind it.

Gender differences

Ho-Oh is a genderless species.

Special abilities

Ho-Oh's most notable ability is its mythical power to resurrect the dead. Ho-Oh is the only known Pokémon that learns Sacred Fire and can hold Sacred Ash. It is said that when it flies its huge wings create bright, colorful rainbows. The rare few who bear witness to Ho-Oh are promised an eternal happiness.

Behavior

Not much is known about this creature, due to the fact that few Trainers have been lucky enough to see it. It has been observed to be territorial at times when its nest is disturbed. It freely flies the world's skies in search of a Trainer with a pure heart.

Diet

In the anime

According to the anime, Ho-Oh lived in the Tin Tower in ancient times. When a war broke out, burning both the Tin Tower and the Brass Tower down, it created Raikou, Entei, and Suicune, and all four disappeared. Later, a new Tin Tower was erected, but Ho-Oh since then has never come back for sure. A sacred flame from Ho-Oh burns in the Dragon's Den; it was obtained during the same war.

Pokédex entries

In the manga

Ho-Oh in Pokémon Adventures

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

In Pokémon Adventures, Ho-Oh was used by the Masked Man to kidnap children showing remarkable talent in his scheme to capture Celebi, including Green and Silver, six years prior to the start of the entire manga. Prior to the events of the GSC saga, Pryce had lost his control over Ho-Oh, and thus attacked the Tin Tower using Team Rocket to prompt Ho-Oh to return to Ecruteak City. Ho-Oh was later seen at Indigo Plateau under Pryce's control, alongside Lugia, wreaking havoc and destruction. It was then lent to Karen and Will to fight Green with alongside Lugia, and nearly defeated her legendary birds, but both of them were eventually brought back to their senses and freed.

In the TCG

In the TFG

Other appearances

When released from a Poké Ball, Ho-Oh unleashes a spiral of Sacred Fire that deals massive amounts of damage to any opponent caught in it.

Melee trophy information

As it soars around the skies of the world, this Rainbow Pokemon leaves a trail of rainbows and myths in its wake. Its signature move is called Sacred Fire, and it is believed to appear only before trainers who are pure of heart. If you see a trainer with Ho-oh, you can assume that catching it took a lot of work.

Brawl trophy information

"A Rainbow Pokémon. On sparkling wings of seven colors, Ho-Oh leaves a rainbow behind as it flies. Legend says that Ho-Oh suppressed a war that scorched the land in ancient times. Its attack Sacred Fire can melt ice in an instant and also damage the target with burns. Ho-Oh will show its solemn figure only for the most righteous Trainers."

Ho-Oh's feathers glow in seven colors depending on the angle at which they are struck by light. These feathers are said to bring happiness to the bearers. This Pokémon is said to live at the foot of a rainbow.

Trivia

Ho-Oh is the first Generation II Pokémon to be shown in the anime, making it the first sign that the franchise would ever expand beyond 151 Pokémon. It is seen at the end of the very first episode of the anime. However, the Pokédex does not know what it is.

So far, Ho-Oh is the only Legendary Generation II Pokémon to have never appeared in any movie (only in introductions and as a disguise used by Mew).

Origin

Ho-Oh is based on the Huma bird, a legendary bird that is said to never rest, living its entire life flying continuously, and resurrects itself and others in its own ashes and flames. It is a symbol of fortune and friendship and will bestow happiness to anyone who simply glimpses it. Ho-Oh, like Moltres, is also based on the legend of the phoenix; unlike Moltres, it is based more on the Fenghuang, the immortal phoenix of China from which it derives its name. Many cultures view the Phoenix and Huma as symbols of resurrection; this is seen in Ho-Oh, which was reborn rising from its own ashes and had a hand in resurrecting Suicune, Raikou and Entei. It may also be based on many other firebirds; some examples are the Three-legged bird, Simurgh, and the Ember Bird. It also is similar to the rainbow-feathered bird god Achiyalabopa.

Name origin

Ho-Oh and Houou are alternate transcriptions of 鳳凰 Hōō (phoenix), specifically the Chinese phoenix, Fènghuáng. The ou may also refer to 皇 ō (emperor) or 王 ō (king).